Friday, October 21, 2011

Highlights of the Week
Our 2011-2012 school year “Principal Lunch” days have started.  During a Principal Lunch, I go to each classroom and dine with the students.  This is a great opportunity for me to get to know each student better in their daily school environment.  This year, classroom teachers are working with students to set attainable academic goals.  I am carrying these goal setting discussions over into the principal lunches with a focus on a life-long goal.  I set the stage for life-long goal setting through reading an inspirational story to the class.  I’ve read books such as The Wednesday Surprise, Wilma Unlimited, and Salt in His Shoes.  These stories help illustrate how, what may seem to be the impossible, is really possible if you set your mind to achieving it.  It has been really exciting to hear about all the long-term and career goals of Prairie students.  Third grader Ashley W. shared that she wants to be a teacher because she has had so many great teachers that have really helped her.  Stephen M. from Mrs. Kelly’s class shared that he would like to be an engineer like his parents.  I look forward to meeting with each class over the next several weeks and learning about each student’s future plans.     

Reading Calendars
Students who turn in 6 out of 9 months of reading calendars will receive a pass to Great America for some 2012 summer fun.  Reading calendars should be turned into the classroom teacher.  The calendars can be found on the Prairie website. 

Common Core Standards Highlight
Mr. Paul Louis, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, highlights background information on Illinois’ newly adopted Common Core standards along with a historical perspective of how District 96 has moved over the past several years toward a standards based report card.  Mr. Louis’s podcast, “Common Core Standards as it Relates to Standards Based Reporting,” will be helpful in answering questions you may have regarding this academic reporting format. 

PTO News
This year’s “Monster Mash” will be on Friday, October 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm.  To learn more about this event and others, please visit the PTO Newsletter.

Halloween Festivities Log
  • Parade
    • Start time is approximately 1:15pm on Monday, October 31st
    • Parents are welcome to watch outside
    • If the weather is inclement, the parade will be inside for students & staff only
    • Students will exit the doors on Kingsbridge, walk toward Brandywyn, up around the circle drive, and students will re-enter the building by the gym doors
  • Assembly
    • The assembly is for students and staff only due to space constraints
  • Parties
    • Parties will begin at approximately 2:00pm and end at 2:45pm
    • Only parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties
    • If you are a volunteer, it is recommended that you have your driver’s license scanned into our security system prior to party day so that your badge can be ready for you upon arrival
  • Going Home for Lunch
    • Students must be picked up in the office by a parent if they are going home for lunch to change into their costumes
  • Costumes
    • Students will change into their costumes after the lunch period
    • Must be appropriate for school
    • No masks, blood, super scary stuff, general iciness, or weapons
    • No cigars or cigarette items
    • No bare tummies
    • Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple

After School Pick-Up
When picking up your child after school, please remember that the large staff parking lot is not to be used for student pick-up.  This is a safety precaution in that it is unsafe for children to be walking through a the parking lot.  Children are often difficult to see and we would not want any child getting hurt.  Please arrange a pick-up location with your child along Brandywyn or Kingsbridge.  Thank you for your help in keeping our kids safe.   

Understanding Your Child’s New Report Card – November 9th
The District is hosting a parent informational night dedicated to your child’s new report card.  You will learn how the new report card differs from ones used in the past.  The benefits of this new reporting tool for students, parents and teachers will also be highlighted.  The date and location of this meeting has been changed to November 9th at 7:00 PM in Prairie’s gymnasium.

4th Grade Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, October 27th at Prairie Elementary School





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